Wartsila has announced plans to upgrade the RT-flex main engines on two bulk carriers owned by Ulusoy Sealines, a Turkish shipping company.
The retrofitting initiative aims to enhance the vessels' operational lifespan, performance, and fuel efficiency, leading to a reduction in emissions.
The orders for the upgrades were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.
The delivery of the necessary components and equipment for the ULUSOY 11 and ULUSOY 12 vessels is scheduled for the first half of this year.
The modifications will align the engines' performance with the updated operational profiles of the vessels, which have experienced considerable changes since their initial launch in 2011.
The upgrade will incorporate Wartsila’s Part Load Optimisation (WPLO), Intelligence Combustion Control (ICC), and Fuel Actuated Sackless Technology (FAST).
Ulusoy Sealines OZCOREKCI/DPA--OPR manager Capt A.Akin said: “We continuously strive to operate our fleet in the most environmentally friendly and efficient manner possible.
“These engine upgrades are, therefore, very important to us and we are excited to be able to provide added value to our customers by combining existing assets with these state-of-the-art engine retrofits.”
The upgrades are designed to improve energy efficiency across the merchant fleet in response to current regulations, including the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).
These enhancements are expected to yield a 5% improvement in CII, effectively extending the vessels' CII rating by two years.
Furthermore, the project is projected to generate annual fuel savings of approximately 250t, translating to potential cost reductions exceeding $150,000 each year, alongside an estimated decrease in CO2 emissions of around 780t annually per vessel.
Wartsila Marine two-stroke and other OEM services director Peter Knaapen said: “These engine upgrades will involve the integration of various solutions, both long-standing and newly developed, which are meticulously fine-tuned to achieve the highest operational improvements and maximum savings tailored to the vessel’s specific operational profile.”
Earlier this month, Wartsila ANCS, a division of the technology group Wartsila, completed the inaugural pilot installation of its NACOS Connect remote mimics application aboard Sun Princess, the newest flagship vessel of Princess Cruises.
